Tumwater repairs advance, but traffic impacts continue on Chumstick Highway

LEAVENWORTH — With US-2 still closed through Tumwater Canyon, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is continuing to manage the Chumstick Highway detour amid increased traffic, road damage and safety concerns.

Tumwater Canyon closed mid-December after Wenatchee River flooding washed out several sections of road. However, WSDOT says mild winter weather has allowed contract crews to make significant progress on repair work so far. Crews have excavated unstable slopes and are rebuilding the roadway above the highwater line. Next steps will involve guardrail placement and paving. WSDOT has yet to confirm a reopening date, but said project completion was still on track for mid-March.

“We'll take advantage of current weather conditions to do as much work as possible,” WSDOT wrote in an update.

For now, Chumstick Highway will continue serving as a detour for US-2 from Coles Corner to Leavenworth. Since the closure of Tumwater Canyon, the county road has struggled with increased traffic, delays, and road deterioration. When US-2 through Tumwater Canyon closes, WSDOT assumes responsibility for the maintenance of the detour, Chumstick Highway.

Over the past month, WSDOT has repaired potholes and pavement issues exacerbated by the increase in traffic. Most recently, it has had to address mudslides and slope failure on Beaver Valley Hill caused by recent wet weather. WSDOT said it would not be able to fully address the slope issues without completing closing the highway, which will not be feasible until US-2 through Tumwater Canyon reopens. For now, traffic has been reduced to one lane in order to protect the roadway.

In its latest update, WSDOT urged travelers to not use US-2/Chumstick Highway for cross-state travel, emphasizing the need for the highway to stay open for local access.

A portion of Beaver Valley Road, which is a part of the US-2 detour, remains lowered to 35 miles per hour speeds to accommodate the increase in traffic through Plain. The speed reduction is in place between Pobst Place and the Wenatchee River bridge near Plain.

Still, vehicles are continuing to speed through the area. In response to reports from Chumstick Highway residents, Washington State Patrol did a speed emphasis on Beaver Valley Road and Chumstick Highway. According to WSP District 6 PIO, officers made 22 speed contacts within four hours.

Updated travel conditions are available on WSDOT real-time travel map.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media